Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 29th, 2016 7:33AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Watch out for reactive wind slabs in alpine and open treeline.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The next pulse of snow is expected to roll in Tuesday night with 10-15cm of snow by Wednesday morning. Winds pick up with the incoming storm and spike to strong out of the southwest Tuesday night. Freezing levels may also rise to around 1700m during height of storm Tuesday night but generally remain at valley bottom throughout the forecast period. We expect a clearing trend Wednesday/Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday no new avalanches were reported in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs on lee aspects in alpine and open treeline. 5-10cm new snow is sitting on top of a crust in many areas which will increase the distance that small avalanches run. The mid February layer is down 30-60cm and is a crust in most areas. This layer is generally well bonded to the overlying persistent slab. However, in isolated ares there is surface hoar or facets overlying this crust making the interface much more likely to produce large avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Solar radiation will increase the reactivity of these new wind slabs.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2016 2:00PM